Worth the Cost? Weight Distribution, Anti-Sway

[Tomaso]

Is a weight distro, anti-sway hitch and bars worth the extra cost?

I just got back into the RV'ing life, had a Class A and sold it, just got a TT.

I'm saving the $$$ to get a proper tow vehicle and want to know if it's worth getting the anti-sway, weight distribution tow hitch for the travel trailer.

Thanks for the help, I'm new to the travel trailer living, but have a few summers under the belt with class A's.

[Texmac1011]

It will depend on the truck and the trailer. Post that info and some pretty smart folks ( not me) can help you out.

[GVJeeper]

OMG no way I not have WD and sway bar but my TT is 35' long plus the truck. I don't know at what point (length) they recommend them but if you fall into that length get one.

[schrederman]

For almost any application, it's kind of a "gotta have" item. My first TT was only 3200 pounds and used a 2" ball. I didn't need one since my Expedition had air suspension and would level things out, no problem. I traded for a F-150 and needed it immediately. The tongue weight was just too much for the truck. My new truck doesn't need much, but still needs some. When I upgrade trailers, I'll need a bigger WDH.

[rideandslide]

Like said,depends on the lenght & weight of the TT, but most likely YES. Spend the extra money and get a WDH that has anti-sway built in.!

[tucsonrv]

You will by a sway bar the first time a truck,flys by you and sucks you in and spits you out. It won't keep it from happening but will greatly reduce the pucker factor...

[k5sas]

Tucsonrv - Well said!!!

[Cumminsfan]

May or may not need it. Some factors come into play. If you have a large truck and are towing something like an R Pod or small Bambi Airstream type trailer then IMO no.
If towing those size trailers with a midsize truck then yes, For several reasons. One being the receivers aren't always rated high enough without using WD. Plus the truck and trailer are close in weight and any abnormal disturbance will upset the balance.
If you're looking at a larger trailer and towing with a large truck then 99% of the time you need WD. Not for the sway part but because truck receivers aren't always rated high enough without WD.
So it boils down to what size truck and TT you're looking to get and making sure that you meet the tow requirements for both. IMO if you need WD then just spend the extra $$ and get an integrated sway WD hitch. You have to hitch up any way so you may as well hitch up and get WD and sway control at the same time.


And when you finally do decide on a truck and trailer, take some time to make sure you setup the combo correctly. Don't rely on the dealer. Most of the time they just hitch you up and send you on your way. Then when you load up the trailer everything's out of whack. I don't know of any dealer actually taking measurements of the unhitched truck before and after hitching to see if it's setup correctly. You also need to get everything weighed to see if you have the proper tongue weight. All these things intertwine to provide a proper towing setup.


Let us know what you're looking at. We can help better with more info.

[Mr_D]

I've never towed a TT without a WD hitch, but the last TT we had was in 1988 so it's been a while and tow vehicles have gotten better too. I had a 3/4 ton Chevy with a 26' TT.

[gazingm42]

One would be wise to check your state laws and states you will travel into, by or near. As many states if your trailers weighs XYZ then you required by state law to have a WD system. Doesn't matter how big, tall, long wide extra springs etc you have. You need to follow your state requirements with WD system.

Traveling a lot by means for my work. Plus living in a state where Travel trailers are a requirement of family living. I have seen so many misconfiguration on the highway and too many bad accidents or near accidents. I would never travel with out a WD system installed.

[Boomster]

The real simple answer is....Weight distribution, sway control and electronic brake control........DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT all 3.

Memo: If you do not have a transmission cooler on your tow vehicle go to a good transmission repair shop and have one installed.

You will then have the minimum equipment to tow safety.

Happy Camping.

[RVGuy1966]

wouldn't even try to move my TT without my Hensley Arrow.....

[mnm45111]

Absolutely necessary. No question in my mind.


2007 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7 L 4x4; 2011 31' Puma by Palomino

[Onstar20]

The answer is yes to be safe even without knowing the TV/TT in question.
I am new to TT towing as well this year and after much shopping for my specific application/price point I went with a Husky Centerline WD/Sway control. Extremely happy with this safe setup for my rig.
Happy Travels!